Forty people is juust large enough to feel (and sound!) like a real-world networking event. (Does personally meeting 40 people in just a few hours seem like a lot to you?)

At the same time, 40 people is small enough to feel like a personal learning environment. As networking is interpersonal, small groups facilitate learning. 

If you have already read The 20-Minute Networking Meeting, then you are aware of the many, many examples and stories throughout the book. This was intentional, when Marcia Ballinger and I wrote the 20MNM material. Understanding why or how something works is key to understanding anything.

This is also how Group Intensives work— with the explanations of why and what for. Getting and understanding of why networking works the way it does, translates quickly to longer, deeper connections with those you meet and get to know – even those who start as complete strangers to you.

In a word, everywhere. Sometimes it’s not possible to drive a long way for important things. Intensives are held on all sides of the Twin Cities (and out of state). Registration information will always show upcoming events and locations. If you would like Nathan to speak or give a webinar in your area, you can contact him here.

You’ll be meeting everyone at the seminar. (And they will be meeting you, too!) You’ll be introducing yourself, shaking hands, and talking to everybody in the room.

What exactly will you learn? How to start a conversation with a complete stranger. How to ask thought-provoking questions to keep a conversation going. How to follow up with people after meeting them to keep your network alive, and even how to handle being a third wheel! In a nutshell, you’ll be learning interpersonal skills that will launch your networking into high gear, but will help you learn about other people- the key to relationship-building in the first place.

No, you do this stuff every day!

Well, do you do it every day? Do you know how? Do you know how to keep going? Are you an introvert? Do you know that you need to get out and meet people, but don’t? Are you looking for a job, or is your career in transition? Are business relationships or meeting people important to you or your work? Then then a small-group intenstive is for you!

If you’re this far down the page, that could be one sign.  But here’s a couple of definitions.

An extrovert recharges and gets their energy when around others or groups of people.

An introvert, by contrast, recharges and gets their energy when they have had a sufficient amount of time to self-reflect.

You can come, too! In fact, by meeting and networking with others in the Introvert Group Intensives, you just might learn something new about us introverts.

Yep, tried and true! Some past and current characteristics: Aside from being a former swimmer (silent athlete), and published author (silent occupation), I’m a book reader (silent pastime) and researcher (more silent pastime). People are awesome, and silence is golden.

I learned how to step out of being an introvert, and into an extrovert when needed. I’d like to show you how to do the same.

You see, in addition to all of those introverted characteristics, I also happen to have a Bachelor of Fine Arts with an emphasis in Acting. With almost 20 years in New York City and Hollywood on stage and in film and TV (and tons of day jobs to support that career). However, despite having to learn the skills of relationship-building (with people from all walks of life, professions, and experience levels) to survive as an artist, I had to do the same in my business career. Combined with my 14+ years in executive search where networking is literally a part of my job, I’ve pulled together and streamlined the subtle art of being a networking introvert.

You can read more about some of my own personal work experience in an FAQ in this Commonly Asked Questions section. (I’ve had tons of jobs.)

If you have read it, then some of the terminology will be familiar to you. However, as Group Intensives are more hands-on, interpersonal seminars, it is not necessary to have read The 20-Minute Networking Meeting!

Yes, I do! I have been involved in the Executive Recruitment industry for around 14 years as of this writing. But I’m a little different than much of the industry. I’m not a recruiter. I’m the guy who finds the candidates for the recruiters to recruit. So I’m the guy you would send your resume to. I’m the person who reviews your LinkedIn profile, and the person who would put your resume into the database.

My recruitment experience started with two different global firms when I was living in Los Angeles mid 2000s. When I moved to Minnesota, I continued to work for one of those firms. I was eventually recruited to another firm, where I met my co-author of The 20-Minute Networking Meeting books. (Yaaay!) Marcia and I still work together from time to time, and you can find me on her company website, Ballinger|Leafblad website.

Combined with my writing background and multitude of professional experiences, I have a rare and unique insight from not just a recruiting and hiring perspective, but from a job-search perspective as well. Click here to see a shortlist of such experiences.

Yeah, I get it. However, this is a seminar designed just for you! Get off the couch. He’s going, she’s going. I’m going. All the cool kids are going, so come be alone together with other introverts and learn why you’re actually an extrovert in disguise. 

A question I am frequently asked is who I work with as a coach. I work with literally everybody, from college graduates to senior corporate executives. I even work with a few foundation-sponsored cohorts, and in the non-business realm, artists, including New York City playwrights, and even Hollywood producers and known celebrities.

Here’s Some Background.

My very first career, which spanned 20 years, was in the arts, as a professional actor and writer  in New York City and Los Angeles. (Which explains why I still coach such people.) As such, I maintained a second job at all times to support myself. This means I’ve worn many, many hats over those 30+ years in the working world, which enables me to work, by experience, with just about anybody. Because in the end, the best way about career development and job search is the same for nearly everyone.

Here’s a (very) shortlist of some professional experiences I’ve had up til this point. I’ve been in the working world since a young man.

Busboy. (My very first job, at age 9.)

Lifeguard. (Professional Rescuer certified. Nearly 10 years in 2 states, year-round. I was a competitive swimmer growing up, from age 9 til age 18, year-round. 100 Free was my event, if you’d like to know.)

Swimming Instructor. (Water Safety Instructor (WSI) certified. Professional Rescuer certified (one step beneath paramedic). Nearly 10 years in 2 states, year-round, and instructed over 1,000 adults and children over that time.)

Daycare.  (My mom ran a private daycare center in our home, which I grew up in, and later helped with as I grew older. I had helped raise nearly a dozen children by the time I left for college.)

Waiter. (I wasn’t great at this one, but I learned a ton. Not an easy job, folks. Always tip your server.)

Personal Trainer. (My dad got me into weight-lifting, and I was an athlete growing up. I got certified to train others through the Aerobics and Fitness Association of America (AFAA) and trained clients in NYC.

Bartender. (In a rather rough biker bar. What an experience. I’ll tell you about it.)

Executive Assistant. (Over 10 years of experience, and as senior as they come. Worked in the Executive Offices of Goldman Sachs; L’Oreal; Rockerfeller Brothers Fund, among a long list of other organizations that run from finance to religion. Was part of the Goldman Exec Admin team when the company went public.)

Professional actor. (Formally trained actor; BFA Theatre, emphasis Acting. 10 years in NYC, 5 years in Hollywood. Voting member of the Screen Actor’s Guild (SAG-AFTRA) union. Member of Actor’s Equity (AEA), stage union. Principal and starring roles in film, tv, and stage. Over 125 episodes in daytime serial [soap opera] television.)

Playwright. (I still write short plays for DiscoveryOnstage, a multi-media kids’ Summer Acting camp in Los Angeles, California. You can see them here: DiscoverOnstage)

Screenwriter. (I still edit the works of a few Hollywood writers.)

Published writer, Nationally recognized. (Three career, and one audiobook which make up The 20-Minute Networking Meeting series. Two novels, not yet in print.)

Theatre instructor. (Adults and kids. Lawyers and other professionals, too, to help with speaking presence and team work.)

Non-Profit Board Member. (Development Committee; Governance Committee; Board Secretary; Executive Committee; Vice Chair. I’ve led the search for Executive Director and Managing Director roles for two internationally known arts non-profits.)

Retained Executive Search. My responsibility is to research candidates for the recruiters to recruit. (Over 14 years in this realm at the regional, national, and global levels. Everything from non-profit to energy; oil and gas fracking; high-tech; med-device; electronics, steel and manufacturing industries to name a few.)